Kyle Larson clinched the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway without leading a single lap. Seizing a late opportunity during a caution caused by his teammate William Byron’s tire blowout, Larson pitted for two tires while his main rival, Denny Hamlin, opted for four tires, giving Larson a strategic edge that helped him restart ahead and ultimately secure third place, enough to win the title. Despite Hamlin dominating much of the race by leading 208 of 312 laps, he fell short in a heartbreaking finish, joining several other finalists like Chase Briscoe and Byron who all faced tire troubles during the race.
Larson, now the 18th driver to win multiple Cup titles, expressed disbelief at winning without leading any laps, highlighting his smart race management. Meanwhile, Hamlin, a 60-time Cup winner, faced another tough defeat in the championship round, extending his unfortunate streak and hoping for format changes next season that might favor his style. Race winner Ryan Blaney, who was not in contention for the championship, celebrated his victory with a focus on the win itself rather than the title battle.
Tire issues plagued the other championship contenders, including flat tires for Briscoe and a crash for Byron, who was pushing hard but came up short for the third consecutive year. Goodyear introduced a new left-side tire that teams ran at lower pressures in pursuit of speed, increasing the risk of tire failures. Blaney’s victory marked his first in the championship race since finishing second multiple times, and he appreciated the win without engaging in speculative “What-If” scenarios about the championship outcome.
Looking ahead, the offseason looms large for Hamlin, while Phoenix is set to debut the new 750-horsepower package in an upcoming race weekend featuring both IndyCar and NASCAR events. This season’s dramatic finish concluded the 2025 campaign, underscoring the unpredictable nature of NASCAR competition.
Fan Take: This thrilling conclusion reaffirms that strategic decisions and timing can trump dominance on the track, making NASCAR’s championship battles compelling for fans. Larson’s victory without leading a lap could signal a shift in how drivers approach race tactics, promising even more exciting and unpredictable seasons ahead.
